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Created January 6, 2012 15:19
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flow getting started - getflow.com
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flow-getting-started.markdown

I've been using Flow since it came out. It works well and I like having all my personal and work stuff in the same place.

Here is a crash course on getting started:

Adding Tasks

Classic Way

  • Hit <enter>, start typing.
  • Tab to other fields as necessary.
  • Finish, hit <enter>, task created.

Quick Task Bar

Organize It

  • Create some lists and folders. Mine look like this:

  • Drag and drop to organize.
  • Click the folder to see all tasks in all lists.

View 'Em

  • Use the Organize Tasks button to sort & filter.
  • Use the sidebar to show activity, all tasks, or a specific user's tasks (only shared lists).

Work It

  • Click the checkbox to finish / reopen a task.
  • Click the task name to open it's detail.
  • Hover over a task to show the quick edit, trash, comment, and flag buttons.

Our Lists

These will likely change over time, but should be a good start. The goal is to increase communication without disrupting work. There are often things I want to tell you but an email is too much and an IM is distracting. This may be a comfortable medium.

RPMWare

  • RPMWare - General - General tasks to be completed relatively soon. All tasks should have a due date.
  • RPMWare - Technical - Technical tasks to be completed. Also a staging area for larger tasks that need to be put into Pivotal.
  • RPMWare - Projects & Goals - Unfinished projects & goals that we are working on or plan to start. All tasks should have a due date -- set to end-of-month if unknown to track what we're doing this month.
  • RPMWare - Ideas - Holding area for ideas.
  • RPMWare - Quick Ones - Quick questions and/or tasks that need to be done for the other to continue work. Answers should be yes/no or very short. Try to keep this empty at all times.
  • RPMWare - News - Stuff you should know but didn't want to interrupt the other's work to tell them. Comment (optionally) and close once you read it.
  • RPMWare - Check It - Similar to news, but not directly related to RPMWare. K&N bought by private equity, Gymkhana 73, etc.

RPM Projects

Some projects are larger than a single task. Create a new list named RPM Project - [Project Name] and create tasks related to that project in this directory.

Pro-tips

  • Use the Inbox. I create tasks all day long in the inbox then organize them later.
  • Business + Personal. Having everything in one place is huge.
  • Keep it organized. Inbox zero. Due dates are your friend. Recurring tasks.
  • Everything. The system breaks down when there are multiple places to look. Consolidate all your tasks in one place.

Extras, Time Savers

  • Flow for iPhone - Must have. Nuff said.
  • Flow for Mac - Menubar app for adding tasks. Cmd+Opt+N (or click) and add a task. Great for quick ideas on the go. You are using your mac full time, right ;).
  • Flow Bookmarklet/Chrome Extension - Add current page as a task. E.g. you're reading about a new product, click the bookmarklet, it is created as a task for your review later.
  • Email Flow - I don't use this, but you can email flow to create and respond to tasks.
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